Dilemma

[laurab]

I have a dilemma,



Between us Roger and I now have:-



Orange Bishop Weavers – too many to count!

Cape Sparrows x 1 pair

Chestnut Sparrows x 3 hens

Cut Throats x 1 pair

Diamond Doves x 1 pair and 1 offspring

Hecks x 3 pairs

Bengalese x 6 birds sex unknown

Hecksalese (Elvis)

Zosterops x 1 pair

Jacarinis’ – several

Red Eared Waxbills x 1 pair

Orange Cheek Waxbills x 2 pairs

Gold Breasted Waxbills x 2 pairs

Parsons Finch x 1 pair

Lavender Finch x 1

Rosa Bourkes x 1 pair

Amethyst Starlings x 1 pair

Quail x 2 pairs



We have 2 aviaries 1 measures 22’ x 6’5” rising to 7’ x 5’2” and the second is smaller but getting bigger. Roger is still at work I will have to confirm the size of the smaller one.



What do you think could/should be housed together next year and is there anything that you feel should be moved on?

Roger has just got in, the smaller aviary will measure 8' wide by 9' long.

[chris]

Hi Laura,

the only bird i would move on would be the youngster diamond dove as i believe multiple pairs can cause problems in the same aviary. but if you can house it in your other aviary that would be better. i definately wouldn't be getting rid of any of your other birds, so looks like you need to be thinking " where am i going to put my next block of aviaries":grin:

Chris:wink:

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

First of all you forgot to mention the trio of Yellow Mantled Whydahs,:roll: don't worry I wont tell Roger, oops he's a member now isn't he.:grin:

I would split the Weaver Species you have as Grenadier Weavers (the Species that has bred for you), Red Bishops (slightly smaller than the Grenadiers) and Zanzibar Bishops (the cute tiny ones), I would suggest keeping only the Grenadiers for next year to avoid Hybridising between Grenadiers and Red Bishops.

But anyway here is my suggestion for stocking the two aviaries you have for breeding next year.

Main aviary.

Grenadier Weavers one, or maybe two? cocks and all of the hens you have,
Cape Sparrows 1pr,
Chestnut Sparrows (Graham Coleman told me he will sort a cock Bird for you) 1 cock and 3 hens,
Cut-Throat Finches 1pr,
Hecksalese + mate, Bengalese or Hecks (his choice),
Zosterops 1pr,
Jacarini Finches 1pr,
Rosa Bourkes 1pr ?
Amethyst Starlings 1pr.

Second aviary.

Yellow Mantled Whydahs trio,
Parson Finches 1pr,
Orange Cheeked Waxbills 2prs + youngster,
Gold Breasted Waxbills 1pr,
Jacarini Finches 1pr.

Sell.

Diamond Doves,
Hecks Grassfinches,
Bengalese Finches,
Red Eared Waxbills?
Gold Breasted Waxbills 1pr,
Lavender Waxbill,
Chinese Painted Quail?

Paul?:-?

[chris]

Hi Paul,

wouldn't it be possible to house the other waxbills (red ears, lavenders, goldbreasts) with the orange cheeked waxbills in the second aviary?

also i think the CPQ should be fine in the main aviary, unless one of the other species in there nest on or near the ground:?

what do you suggest with the other 2 weaver species?

Laura, is it an option to divide the aviary while birds are breeding next year? a few of the cheap ready made panels, with doors in, fixed inside the aviary should do the trick but they will probably need cutting to size or extending with some spare mesh and wood

Chris:wink:

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Chris,

My main reason for suggesting the sale of the Red Ears, single Lavender and the second pair of Gold Breasts was because the Red Ears had shown no interest in breeding this year in a very suitable aviary, the single Lavender explains itself and the second pair of Gold Breasts may be hampering the breeding pairs attempts?

Laura has experienced difficulty in selling her CPQ this year, and I see no improvement for next year.:-|

I suggest Laura sells the Zanzibars because they are both cocks, also I suggest Laura sells the Red Bishops to avoid Hybridisation between the Grenadiers and the Bishops, as Laura and I have seen in a collection we both hoped to buy hens from where Hybrids occured between Grenadiers and Crimson Crowned Bishops.:sad:

Paul.:wink: